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ENGLAND’S WORLD CUPcricket campaign descended into farce after a decision on whether to boycott their opening game in Zimbabwe was delayed yet again.

Nasser Hussain and his team seem likely to pull out of Thursday’s fixture after it emerged death threats were mailed to the squad.

Team managers – who maintained the threats from a group called the Sons and Daughters of Zimbabwe were a hoax – kept them secret from players for three weeks.

That led to a day of behind-the-scenes wrangling and recrimination yesterday about who knew what, which ended in stalemate when a second urgent review of safety was ordered.

At issue were five pieces of information – including the death threat letter – omitted from an official report into security risks in the troubled African country. The other pieces of information were not revealed.

‘This is the worst position an England team has ever been put in, off the pitch,’ said players’ representative Richard Bevan.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew claimed he was told the players had decided to pull out of the game.

But all-rounder Paul Collingwood said: ‘It’s been very hectic and we’ve had a lot of meetings. The mood in the camp is very good and if anything this has pulled the squad together.’

Talks were continuing between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.